The journey of saving not just land – but a whole island

What was once an environmental hazard and wasteland is now a restored conservation area thanks to the determination and vision of a community group.

Kurow Island is a ten-hectare island which sits within the mighty braided system.

The island is Crown land and falls equally between the Waitaki and District Councils. Access to the island is by the way of State Highway 82 where the original historic twin bridges linked South Canterbury and North .

From the early 1900s to 1996 the central area of the island was used as a Waitaki District landfill.

Following the closure of the landfill in 1996 the area became an illegal dumping site, a fire hazard and a wasteland covered in weeds. It was infested with pests, gorse and broom which was up to two metres high. Amongst the mess were dumped cars and animal carcasses and this was all visible from the road and bridges.

In 2001 Meridian Energy announced their plans for Project Aqua which set to divert three quarters of the water from the Waitaki River to generate hydroelectricity, with the intention to create a recreational reserve with a lake on Kurow Island. In 2004 Project Aqua was abandoned and consequently so was the land proposal. This meant the island was left in its messy state.

A group of Kurow locals came together to explore the idea of cleaning it up, to create a recreational and ecological area that benefited people, wildlife, and the environment.

Sandy Cameron was a leader in this initiative and said what started out as an idea formed into a significant project.

“That was 16 years ago, we’re pensioners now.”

Mrs Cameron said they set up their first meeting amongst the gorse and invited representatives from agencies, councils, and businesses.

In late 2004 the Kurow Island Restoration Group was formed as a volunteer group made up of the residents of the Kurow and Hakataramea Communities operating under the support of the Waitaki Valley Community Trust Inc.

A management plan needed to be commissioned and approved by the authorities and funding was sought. The group was also required to obtain a formal undertaking from Land Information (LINZ) and the Department of Conservation (DOC) that they, as land managers, supported the concept and would consider the proposal as a suitable use of their land.

With the support of the various agencies the group was then successful in obtaining a grant from the Meridian Energy Waitaki Community Fund to commission the Kurow Island Landscape Management Plan. DOC issued the with a licence to occupy the site and the various agencies, guided by a Memorandum of Understanding and the Landscape Management Plan, began restoration. Further funding from Meridian meant development could begin.

Mrs Cameron said the process to get the project off the ground was extensive.

“All of these required hundreds of hours of planning and scoping paperwork and consultation, resource consents meetings and working bees.” From then on, the elbow grease and work from the ground-up began to turn what was a wasted and degraded land into a sustainable place for the community for the future.

“For the Island restoration group, the energy from the community turning up with chainsaws, ploughs and truckloads of topsoil was nothing short of fantastic, this was the driving force that kept the project going. We have overcome many obstacles and jumped through many hoops,” Mrs Cameron said.

Kurow Island and its restoration

2004: Restoration: Planning by Kurow Island 2006-2007: Landfill Capping by Waitaki restoration group began following the District Council, cleaning of weeds and application and grant by Meridian Energy woody vegetation. Working bees by local and the formation of a Kurow Island community to clear gorse, broom, blackberries etc. Landscape Management Plan.

2008-2010- From car parks and fences, 2011/12: New Zealand Transport Agency earthworks and grass seeding island native (NZTA) announced the replacement of the ground cover and riparian planting and historic single lane bridges which original undertook to mow construction dated back to 1881, this meant grassland, which they still do now. In 2008 some of the restoration work was put on

the group was the Supreme Winners of the hold. The group also received a grant from Canterbury Weed Busters Award for the DOC to undertake riparian and native restoration of public land – from planting.

Environment Canterbury.

2015-ongoing: Maintenance and Riparian

2013/14: Replacement of the two historic planting. 130-year-old bridges was completed

2017-2018: Grant from Meridian Energy power Fund to construct a shelter learning 2016: Waitaki District Council Grant for maintenance. area from the historic Bridge Components and shelter.

In 2013/14 when the project was put on hold due to the bridges being replaced, the relationship formed with NZTA allowed for further enhancement of the area – far beyond what was believed possible.

This included a twin jet boat ramp, planted embankments, a new road to the island from the highway, car park, permanent display boards and a display bridge. The boards and display bridge showcases the old trusses from the original bridges and serves as a tribute to the culture, growth, and history of the Waitaki Valley.

Mrs Cameron said this was a very happy time for Kurow and we celebrated every milestone with an event followed by a grand opening: The Bridging of Waitaki Waters: Island Fling community orientated festival day.

Today the island has hosts many events including weddings, fishing competitions, World Jet Boat Sprint and Alps to Ocean Marathon Challenges and it has also been used for army training.

Daily it attracts walkers, jet boaters, picnickers, fisherman, cyclists, school children and many more.

Mrs Cameron said the group that was formed out of this lengthy project was something very special.

“We have had heaps of fun with enormous support from the local and wider community and the various agencies. What has made the group so special is the success of the project and the friendship and enthusiasm we have formed and maintained.”

Mrs Cameron said there was no way the project could have even begun without the financial support of the many groups including funding from Meridian Energy, Waitaki and Waimate District Councils, DOC, and the generosity of local businesses.

While Kurow Island continues to evolve it still requires maintenance and Mrs Cameron said the Department of Corrections provided workers who often did maintenance which was invaluable.

“It’s a big job to maintain an island.”

Before: A wasteland of rubbish and rubble.

After: The Island team sitting in the new shelter constructed in 2019 with timbers from the 130-year- old historic bridges that crossed the Waitaki River at Kurow and were replaced in 2013/14. This was made possible by grant from The Meridian Energy Waitaki Power Up Fund. From Left; Andy Chambers, Biff Russell, Sandy Cameron, Lyn Walsh, and Gaynor Lines.